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A
- Looking NNE from wharf near foot of 1st St.:
"Alvin C. Johnson" downbound at Clark Bridge.
"Delta Queen" docked at wharf.
07-May-05- Looking NNW from Waterfront Park just above Big Four Bridge:
"Alvin C. Johnson" upbound above Big Four Bridge.
Cottonwood and mulberry trees.
05-Nov-05- Looking NE from Waterfront Park just above Big Four Bridge:
Tumbleweed restaurant at right. Towhead Island at center. Cottonwood and sycamore at left.
In distance, "Alvin C. Johnson" upbound at Jeffboat.
05-Nov-05- Looking NE from Portland Canal just above McAlpine Locks:
"Dorothy Lee" tied off with asphalt barges "MM70" and "MM72".
Long gray tanks hold fuel for heaters which keep asphalt in liquid form.
"Amber Brittany" upbound in distance.
Lock gate is under construction at Corps of Engineers repair station across canal.
15-Oct-05- Portland Canal near foot of 12th St.:
"American Beauty" upbound. Mulberry tree.
26-Oct-04- Looking ENE from Portland Canal near foot of 12th St.:
"American Beauty" upbound.
26-Oct-04- Looking NNE from Adventure Playground (between Big Four Bridge and Towhead Island) at Waterfront Park:
Metal fish sculptures in water play area periodically spout water (though not at the moment). "Ana Louise" upbound in distance. Foot of Towhead Island can be seen at right.
24-Oct-04- Looking NNE from between 33rd and 34th Sts.:
"Ana Louise" upbound at K&I Bridge.
Lower gauge is 40 feet.
05-Dec-04- Looking down from upriver side of Clark Bridge:
"Ana Louise" upbound.
Upper gauge is 17 feet.
05-Dec-04- Looking WNW from Waterfront Park near Adventure Playground:
"Anne B" upbound at Big Four Bridge.
Birch tree at right.
Upper gauge is 27 feet.
14-Jan-05- Looking ENE from near foot of 34th St.:
"Anne B" downbound below K&I Bridge.
Lower guidewall of McAlpine Locks can be seen to right of center.
Large red signs on Sand Island, to left of guidewall, read:
"Danger: Lock Discharge Ahead" and
"Restricted: No Boats Beyond This Sign When Lights Flashing".
(When lock is emptied, water becomes turbulent.)
Lower gauge is 12 feet.
21-Aug-05- Looking NE from near foot of 34th St.:
"Anne B" downbound below K&I Bridge.
Lower gauge is 12 feet.
21-Aug-05- Looking NW from near foot of 9th St.:
"Ashland" downbound approaching L&I Bridge. 9th St. ramp to westbound I-64 at upper left.
05-Nov-04- Looking NE from Clark Bridge:
"Athena" downbound with anhydrous ammonia barges.
Ramada Inn and Harbours condominiums on distant Indiana bank, with JFK Bridge at right.
03-Oct-04- Looking down from upriver side of Clark Bridge:
"Athena" downbound with anhydrous ammonia barges.
Red sign on pier reads, "Restricted: No pleasure or fishing craft below bridge except for passage through McAlpine Locks."
Just left of red sign is light hanging from bridge which marks center of navigation channel.
03-Oct-04- Portland Canal near 13th St.:
"Aurora" downbound.
09-Sep-04B
- Looking N from Waterfront Park between JFK and Big Four Bridges:
"Belle of Cincinnati" downbound at Big Four Bridge.
In foreground, a cement barge is docked at LaFarge Corp. terminal.
Jeffersonville, Ind., in distance.
Upper gauge is 16 feet.
04-May-05- Looking WNW from Waterfront Park between JFK and Big Four Bridges:
"Belle of Cincinnati" downbound approaching JFK Bridge.
Royal paulownia (aka empress tree, Paulownia tomentosa), with purple flowers at left.
Upper gauge is 16 feet.
04-May-05More on Paulownia tomentosa.
- Looking W from Waterfront Park between JFK and Big Four Bridges:
Kentucky end of JFK Bridge is enclosed by tarps during repainting.
Highway signs have been temporarily removed and propped against trailer.
Cottonwood tree in left foreground.
"Belle of Cincinnati" in distance.
Upper gauge is 16 feet.
04-May-05- Looking N from River Road between 3rd and 4th Sts.:
Temporary scaffolding used to cross high water to "Belle of Louisville" (left) and wharf boat "Mayor Andrew Broaddus" (recently renovated).
At right is one of the supporting piers for Interstate 64.
Upper gauge is 26 feet.
15-Jan-05- Looking SSW from Clark Bridge:
"Delta Queen" upbound before docking at wharf above bridge.
At right are "Spirit of Jefferson", "Belle of Louisville" and wharf boat "Mayor Andrew Broaddus".
23-Jul-05- Looking NNE from Waterfront Park near Big Four Bridge:
Foot of Towhead Island at right.
"Belle of Louisville" upbound at left.
Jeffboat in distance.
03-Sep-05- Portland Canal near foot of 11th St.:
"Lenard" preparing to raise and move one of the anchors attached to the guy wires of the dredge "Bill Holman" (at right).
31-Jul-04- Portland Canal near foot of 11th St.:
"Lenard" preparing to raise and move one of the anchors attached to the guy wires of the dredge "Bill Holman". Floating drum serves as buoy to mark location of anchor. In distance at right, dredged spoil is discharged from end of pipe.
31-Jul-04- Portland Canal near foot of 11th St.:
"Lenard" (at left) and "Buddy", two boats which assist the dredge "Bill Holman" (in distance at right, near Shippingport Island).
31-Jul-04- Looking NW from foot of 10th St.:
"Bill Stegbauer" downbound approaching L&I Bridge.
09-Sep-04- Looking N from near foot of 10th St.:
"Bobby Jones" downbound with anhydrous ammonia barge. Riverwalk in foreground. L&I Bridge in distance. At right is cell at upper end of vane dike.
06-Nov-04- Looking N from Kentucky end of Clark Bridge:
"Bob Stith" upbound.
Upper gauge is 18 feet.
20-Sep-04- Looking SW from Clark Bridge:
Tow of "Bruce Darst" upbound. Cargo appears to include iron pellets.
Excursion boat "Spirit of Jefferson", wharf boat "Mayor Andrew Broaddus" and excursion steamer "Belle of Louisville" docked at wharf.
16-Nov-05- Looking down from downriver side of Clark Bridge:
"Bruce Darst" upbound.
16-Nov-05C
- Looking W from Captain's Quarter's restaurant at Harrods Creek:
"CQ Princess" dining and excursion boat leaving dock.
(Concrete dock has replaced old wooden dock.)
16-Oct-04- Looking WNW from between JFK and Big Four Bridges:
"Carl Cannon" upbound at JFK Bridge.
09-Nov-04- Looking NNW from between JFK (left) and Big Four (right) Bridges:
"Carl Cannon" upbound.
09-Nov-04- Looking NE from Portland Canal near 12th St.:
"Charles E. Peters" upbound.
Wooden observation deck and mulberry tree in foreground.
03-Nov-05- Looking NNW from near foot of 10th St.:
"Charles T. Jones" downbound at head of Portland Canal. Riverwalk in foreground. Ash tree with seed pods.
06-Nov-04- Portland Canal at L&I Bridge:
"Cheryl Stegbauer" downbound. Bridge pier at right.
Upper gauge is 15 feet.
15-Dec-04- Looking N from Portland Canal near foot of 24th St.:
"Cindy L. Erickson" downbound.
Crane "Henry M. Shreve" can be seen at Corps of Engineers repair station.
LG&E hydro-electric plant can be seen in right distance.
Railroad ties are stacked next to tracks.
06-May-05- Looking NE from Portland Canal at passing basin, near 20th St.:
"City of Pittsburgh" downbound.
Ailanthus tree at right; royal paulownia and water maple at left.
15-Oct-05- Looking E from Clark Bridge:
Tow of "City of Pittsburgh" downbound. JFK Bridge at upper left.
16-Nov-05- Looking down from upriver side of Clark Bridge:
"City of Pittsburgh" downbound.
16-Nov-05- Looking NNE from Waterfront Park between JFK and Big Four Bridges:
"Claude R" upbound just below Big Four Bridge.
Phase 3 of Waterfront Park under construction.
Jeffboat in right distance.
11-Feb-06- Looking N from Kentucky end of Clark Bridge:
"Craig E. Philip" upbound.
Upper gauge is 20 feet.
23-Sep-04- Looking N from Portland Canal just above passing basin (near 20th St.):
"Crimson Gem" downbound.
"Roberta Tabor" upbound in left distance.
07-May-05- Looking N from near foot of 33rd St.:
"Crimson Gem" downbound at K&I Bridge.
Lower gauge is 25 feet.
07-May-05D
- Looking NE from Portland Canal near 13th St.:
"Damon Waxler" upbound.
Mulberry at left, willow at right.
02-Nov-05- Looking E from Portland Canal near 13th St.:
"Damon Waxler" upbound.
Downtown Louisville in distance.
02-Nov-05- Looking NE from between 33rd and 34th Sts.:
"Darin Adrian" upbound at K&I Bridge.
Lower gauge is 34 feet.
02-May-05- Looking NE from Portland Canal near 12th St.:
"Darin Adrian" upbound.
Wooden observation deck is almost awash.
Upper gauge is 15 feet.
02-May-05- Looking N from near foot of 24th St.:
"Miss Ida" with fuel flat "James W. Bennett" approaching Kentucky bank. Corps of Engineers repair station with "David C. Russelburg", "J.C. Thomas", crane "Henry M. Shreve" and spare lock gates. LG&E hydro-electric plant in distance.
03-Dec-04- Looking NNW from just below JFK Bridge:
"De LaSalle" upbound at JFK Bridge. Numbers on bridge pier indicate clearance between water and bottom of bridge. (Top number is 20, bottom number is 60).
12-Nov-04- Looking NNE from wharf near foot of 1st St.:
"Alvin C. Johnson" downbound at Clark Bridge.
"Delta Queen" docked at wharf.
07-May-05- Looking NE from Clark Bridge:
"Delta Queen" downbound.
Harbours at RiverPointe condos (left) and JFK Bridge in distance
23-Jul-05- Looking down from downriver side of Clark Bridge:
"Delta Queen" turning to port before docking at wharf.
Smokestack and navigation light pole have been lowered to clear bridge.
23-Jul-05- Looking SW from Clark Bridge:
"Delta Queen" turning around before docking at wharf above bridge.
To right of distant crane is Muhammad Ali Center under construction at River Road and 6th St.
23-Jul-05- Looking SSW from Clark Bridge:
"Delta Queen" upbound before docking at wharf above bridge.
At right are "Spirit of Jefferson", "Belle of Louisville" and wharf boat "Mayor Andrew Broaddus".
23-Jul-05- Looking ENE from Clark Bridge:
"Delta Queen" about to dock at wharf above bridge.
Waterfront Development Building at upper right; 3rd St. ramp at lower right.
JFK and Big Four Bridges in distance.
23-Jul-05- Looking N from wharf near 3rd St.:
"Don File" downbound.
Duckweed and driftwood in foreground.
09-Sep-05- Looking NNW from wharf near Bingham Way:
"Donna Rushing" downbound at Clark Bridge.
Stern of replica of Columbus' ship "Nina".
(Ship was docked here for several days and was open to public.)
01-Sep-05See the Nina replica website.
- Looking down from Clark Bridge:
"Donna York", with "Sharon M" assisting, upbound.
Upper gauge is 17 feet.
25-Sep-04- Looking ESE from Clark Bridge:
"Donna York", with "Sharon M" assisting, upbound. Waterfront Park in distance.
Upper gauge is 17 feet.
25-Sep-04- Looking NE from near foot of 34th St.:
"Donna York" downbound below K&I Bridge.
Foot of Sand Island at right.
Lower gauge is 12 feet.
21-Aug-05- Looking NE from Portland Canal just above McAlpine Locks:
"Dorothy Lee" tied off with asphalt barges "MM70" and "MM72".
Long gray tanks hold fuel for heaters which keep asphalt in liquid form.
"Amber Brittany" upbound in distance.
Lock gate is under construction at Corps of Engineers repair station across canal.
15-Oct-05- Looking WNW from Waterfront Park near Adventure Playground:
"Doug Roberts" downbound at Big Four Bridge.
Foliage includes aster, goldenrod and possibly a yellowwood tree.
14-Oct-05- Looking NW from Waterfront Park between Harbor Lawn and silted inlet:
"Doug Roberts" downbound approaching Clark Bridge.
Foreground foliage includes willow, maple and sycamore.
03-Nov-05E
- Looking NE from Clark Bridge:
Tow of "Edwin A. Lewis" downbound.
JFK and Big Four Bridges in distance.
04-Dec-05- Looking down from upriver side of Clark Bridge:
"Edwin A. Lewis" downbound.
04-Dec-05- Looking NW from harbor at Waterfront Park:
"Elkhorn" docked, with scraper dredge on bow. Clark Bridge in distance.
01-Mar-06- Looking WSW from harbor at Waterfront Park:
"Elkhorn" docked. Note angled bar protecting top of rudder post.
Great Lawn and downtown Louisville in distance.
01-Mar-06- Looking NW from Waterfront Park between Adventure Playground and amphitheater:
"Eva Kelley" upbound above Big Four Bridge. Pile-drilling rig at future site of Tumbleweed restaurant.
06-Nov-04- Looking NW from Clark Bridge:
"Explorer" upbound with tow of coal, steel and other cargo. L&I Bridge in distance.
04-Dec-04- Looking down from downriver side of Clark Bridge:
"Explorer" upbound. (Shadow at lower left is cast by National City Tower at 5th and Main Sts.)
04-Dec-04F
G
- Looking N from wharf near foot of Bingham Way:
"Gail Ann" departing wharf.
09-Sep-04- Portland Canal at L&I Bridge:
"Gail Ann" upbound.
01-Dec-04- Looking NNW from wharf near Bingham Way: "Gail Ann" downbound at Clark Bridge.
Bow of replica of Columbus' ship "Nina".:
01-Sep-05See the Nina replica website.
- Looking N from near foot of 33rd St.:
"Gail Ann" with deck barge upbound at K&I Bridge.
Foliage includes goldenrod, sunflower, aster and chicory.
Ailanthus tree at left (with compound leaves).
Lower gauge = 10 feet
05-Oct-05- Looking NE from Portland Canal near 12th St.:
"George King" downbound.
Upper gauge is 16 feet.
03-May-05- Looking W from Shawnee Park:
"George King" downbound.
Flood control structure (appears to be a pair of storm sewer valves) in foreground.
Lower gauge is 38 feet.
03-May-05H
- Looking ESE from approach to L&I Bridge:
"Hamilton" downbound in Portland Canal. Downtown Louisville in distance. (Turkey vulture at left.)
07-Aug-04- Looking WNW from Waterfront Park near Adventure Playground:
"Harry R. Jacobson" downbound at Big Four Bridge.
Sailboats at Fleur de Lis Regatta.
17-Sep-05- Looking E from near foot of 34th St.:
"Harry R. Jacobson" downbound at K&I Bridge.
To right of towboat are lower guidewall and open lower gate of 1200-foot lock at McAlpine Locks.
Also visible is part of cofferdam enclosing new 1200-foot lock under construction.
This area was once part of Portland wharf.
Lower gauge is 10 feet.
17-Sep-05More on the Portland neighborhood of Louisville.
- Looking W from near foot of 34th St.:
"Harry R. Jacobson" downbound.
To right of towboat is New Albany (Indiana) Boat Club.
Lower gauge is 10 feet.
17-Sep-05- Looking N from Waterfront Park below JFK Bridge:
"Hazel" upbound at JFK Bridge.
10-Nov-04- Looking WSW from Clark Bridge:
Coal tow of "Helen Lay" upbound. Louisville wharf at left.
05-Feb-06- Looking down from downriver side of Clark Bridge:
"Helen Lay" upbound.
05-Feb-06- Portland Canal just upriver from McAlpine Locks:
Crane "Henry M. Shreve" hoisting a spare lock gate at Corps of Engineers repair station.
27-Jul-04- Looking N from near foot of 24th St.:
"Miss Ida" with fuel flat "James W. Bennett" approaching Kentucky bank. Corps of Engineers repair station with "David C. Russelburg", "J.C. Thomas", crane "Henry M. Shreve" and spare lock gates. LG&E hydro-electric plant in distance.
03-Dec-04- Looking N from Portland Canal near foot of 24th St.:
"Cindy L. Erickson" downbound.
Crane "Henry M. Shreve" can be seen at Corps of Engineers repair station.
LG&E hydro-electric plant can be seen in right distance.
Railroad ties are stacked next to tracks.
06-May-05- Looking WNW from Waterfront Park between JFK and Big Four Bridges:
"Hugh C. Blaske" upbound at JFK Bridge.
Phase III of Waterfront Park under construction.
Riprap should reduce bank erosion.
11-Feb-06"Riprap is a permanent, erosion-resistant ground cover constructed of large, loose, angular or subangular (rounded) stone." Its purpose is to stabilize the riverbank and prevent erosion of the soil. The riprap here appears to consist of several layers: A bottom layer of stones wrapped in wire mesh to hold them in place, a layer of black filter fabric (geotextile) and a top layer of larger stones. (Usually the filter fabric is placed right on top of the soil to keep it from being washed through the spaces between the stones.)
More on riprap:
- Riprap Revetments (Ohio Stream Management Guide)
- Riprap (state of Michigan PDF)
- Hydraulic Design of Flood Control Channels (Corps of Engineers manual)
- Looking NNW from Waterfront Park between JFK (left) and Big Four (right) Bridges:
"Hugh C. Blaske" upbound with 16 barges, including a barge "on the hip" (alongside).
Phase III of Waterfront Park under construction.
Riprap should reduce bank erosion.
11-Feb-06- Looking NNE from Waterfront Park between JFK and Big Four Bridges:
"Hugh C. Blaske" upbound with 16 barges, including a barge "on the hip", approaching Big Four Bridge.
Phase III of Waterfront Park under construction.
Riprap should reduce bank erosion.
Jeffboat in distance.
11-Feb-06I
J
- Looking N from near foot of 24th St.:
"Miss Ida" with fuel flat "James W. Bennett" approaching Kentucky bank. Corps of Engineers repair station with "David C. Russelburg", "J.C. Thomas", crane "Henry M. Shreve" and spare lock gates. LG&E hydro-electric plant in distance.
03-Dec-04- Portland Canal near 17th St.:
"J.N. Philips" downbound.
07-Aug-04- Looking N from Portland Canal near 13th St.:
"Jackson H. Randolph" upbound.
At left is protective cell at upper end of guidewall above L&I Bridge.
09-Sep-05- Looking SW from Riverwalk near Shawnee Golf Course:
"James E. Anderson" upbound at Gallagher Station power plant.
Lower gauge is 33 feet.
19-Sep-04- Looking N from near foot of 10th St.:
"James G. Hines" upbound. Elm tree growing from crack in concrete embankment. In distance are L&I Bridge and upper gates of McAlpine Dam.
25-Oct-04- Looking E from near foot of 10th St.:
"James G. Hines" upbound approaching Clark Bridge, with concrete embankment in foreground. At upper right, Muhammad Ali Center is under construction.
25-Oct-04- Looking W from south end of Shawnee Park:
"River Stallion" in tow of "James K. Ellis" upbound, with wild sunflowers.
Lower gauge is 49 feet.
23-Sep-04- Looking WSW from Riverwalk near Shawnee Golf Course:
"River Stallion" in tow of "James K. Ellis" upbound, with wild sunflowers, and Gallagher Station in distance.
Lower gauge is 49 feet.
23-Sep-04- Looking ESE from Portland Canal at passing basin:
"Robert T", "Jay Gene" and deck barges tied off.
27-Jul-04- Portland Canal near 12th St.:
"Jerry E. Holbert" downbound.
04-Oct-04- Looking WNW from Clark Bridge:
Tow of "Jerry E. Holbert" upbound.
L&I Bridge in distance. Gallagher Station power plant in far left distance.
McAlpine Dam hydro plant at far right, beyond bridge.
12-Nov-05- Looking down from downriver side of Clark Bridge:
"Jerry E. Holbert" upbound. Crew doing some painting.
12-Nov-05- Looking E from Riverwalk near foot of 12th St.:
"Judith Ellen" downbound.
Upper gauge is 19 feet.
21-Sep-04K
L
- Looking NW from Riverwalk above McAlpine Locks:
"Larry Y. Strain" upbound out of lock. In distance, Shippingport Island approach to new bridge over heads of locks can be seen under construction.
Upper gauge is 20 feet,
23-Sep-04
See a diagram of McAlpine Locks with new structures superimposed over existing ones.
- Looking NE from Portland Canal near 12th St.:
"Laura Elizabeth" downbound.
04-Oct-05- Looking NNE from near foot of 9th St.:
"Laura Elizabeth" upbound.
L&I Bridge at left, Clark Bridge at right.
Foliage growing on concrete embankment includes locust-like shrub or small tree, vine (center) and sycamore (right).
15-Oct-05- Looking N from wharf near Bingham Way:
Bow of steamer "Natchez", with twin stages (gangplanks).
"Laura Elizabeth" upbound.
02-Nov-05- Portland Canal near foot of 12th St.:
"Laura Tamble" downbound, with mulberry tree in foreground.
22-Oct-04- Looking NE from Portland Canal near 12th St.:
"Laura Tamble" upbound.
In foreground is 2003 Trek 7500FX bicycle.
05-Oct-05- Portland Canal near 13th St.:
"Laura Tamble" upbound just above L&I Bridge.
06-Dec-05- Looking NE from Kentucky end of Clark Bridge:
"Lee Synnott" downbound.
Upper gauge is 17 feet.
19-Sep-04- Portland Canal near foot of 11th St.:
"Lenard" preparing to raise and move one of the anchors attached to the guy wires of the dredge "Bill Holman" (at right).
31-Jul-04- Portland Canal near foot of 11th St.:
"Lenard" preparing to raise and move one of the anchors attached to the guy wires of the dredge "Bill Holman". Floating drum serves as buoy to mark location of anchor. In distance at right, dredged spoil is discharged from end of pipe.
31-Jul-04- Portland Canal near foot of 11th St.:
"Lenard" (at left) and "Buddy", two boats which assist the dredge "Bill Holman" (in distance at right, near Shippingport Island).
31-Jul-04- Head of Portland Canal near foot of 11th St.:
"Lillian L. Huger" upbound.
31-Jul-04- Portland Canal near foot of 12th St.:
"Linda Little" upbound. Mulberry tree.
26-Oct-04M
- Looking NE from Portland Canal near 12th St.:
"Magnolia" downbound. Mulberry tree.
05-Nov-05- Looking N from near foot of 10th St.:
"Martha May" downbound. In foreground is part of concrete embankment which has been cracked and tilted up so the formerly sloped surface is now horizontal. L&I Br. and upper gates of McAlpine Dam in distance.
14-Oct-04- Looking NW from observation deck near foot of 12th St.:
Lead barges in tow of "Martha May" stopped while waiting for train to cross L&I Bridge. Mulberry tree at left.
14-Oct-04- Looking NE from Portland Canal near 18th St.:
"Martha May" downbound, "Mary Harter" upbound. At right is part of 18th St. observation deck.
14-Oct-04- Looking NE from Portland Canal near 21st St.:
"Martha May" downbound, "Tennessee" upbound.
14-Oct-04- Wharf near Bingham Way:
"River Clean Up" (or "River Cleanup"), owned by Living Lands and Waters, an environmental organization hosting a month-long riverbank cleanup in the Louisville area.
Boat painted by Illinois artist Heidi Sallows.
"Mary Ann" downbound at Clark Bridge.
01-Mar-06More on Living Land and Waters.
- Portland Canal near 12th St.:
"Mary Artie Brannon" downbound.
07-Aug-04- Portland Canal near 13th St.:
"Mary Harter" downbound. (Port bow view.)
06-Dec-05- Portland Canal near 13th St.:
"Mary Harter" downbound approaching L&I Bridge. (Port quarter view.)
06-Dec-05- Looking E from Clark Bridge:
Tow of "Mary L" downbound. JFK Bridge being repainted, at left.
Smoky haze is from brush fire at Fort Knox, 20 miles to the south.
12-Nov-05- Looking down from upriver side of Clark Bridge:
"Mary L" downbound.
12-Nov-05- Head of Portland Canal (near foot of 11th St.):
"Mary Lou" downbound. Driftwood.
Upper gauge is 16 feet.
19-Sep-04
A note on river levels: The normal river level above McAlpine Dam (the upper pool) is 12 feet on the upper gauge, which corresponds to 420 feet above sea level. Flood stage on the upper gauge is 23 feet. The normal river level below McAlpine Dam (the lower pool) is 9 feet on the lower gauge, which corresponds to 383 feet above sea level. However, the lower pool would only be this low during a very dry period. Flood stage on the lower gauge is 55 feet.
The Corps of Engineers generally tries to keep the upper pool as close to normal as possible while letting the lower pool rise and fall. This is accomplished by opening and closing the nine tainter gates (named for Jeremiah Burnham Tainter (1836-1920)) built into McAlpine Dam (five at the upper site near the Indiana span of the L&I Bridge and four at the lower site near the hydro-electric plant). Each gate is 100 feet wide and 22 feet high. If you call the McAlpine Locks river level info number (502-775-5056), you will hear a recorded message telling you (besides the gauge readings and predictions) how many feet of dam are open. One "foot of dam" means one gate raised one foot, allowing water to pass under it. So, for example, if they are "running 20 feet of dam" at the upper site, this could mean 5 gates each open 4 feet, or 2 gates open 5 feet, one gate open 4 feet and 2 gates open 3 feet, or some other combination which adds up to 20 feet. "All out" means that all gates are fully raised so the water flows through unimpeded. The Ohio River dams are designed to maintain a minimum 9-foot water depth for year-round navigation, not for flood control. The top of McAlpine Dam is 423 feet above sea level, or 15 feet on the upper gauge. At that point, water flows right over the dam.
Two views of closed upper gates of McAlpine Dam (gauge readings are not known, but the fact that all gates are closed indicates low water):
(1) Looking SE from Falls of the Ohio:
Middle gate of 5 upper gates at McAlpine Dam. Gates are raised and lowered by cables attached to electric winches at top of gate structure. Note maintenance bulkhead above gate. There are three of these bulkheads which can be lowered in front of gates to block water flow and so allow gate to be examined or repaired as needed.
14-Nov-98
(2) Looking E from Falls of the Ohio:
Pier at SW end of Indiana chute span of Conrail (now L&I) Bridge, with upper gates of McAlpine Dam. Even when gates are closed, a small amount of water gets through. Yellow sign atop gate structure reads, "Warning: Siren means increased flow." This warns people walking on the outer fossil beds or fishing from small boats that the water level will be rising. Water passing through the open gates has such a high velocity that those walking on the outer fossil beds will be unable to wade through it and so may be stranded. At left, fisherman is netting minnows.
14-Nov-98See also a chart of McAlpine Locks and Dam, Portland Canal and Falls of the Ohio and a Corps of Engineers discussion of tainter gates, with illustrations (PDF format, 670 KB)
When the upper gauge reaches 13 feet (indicating a significant current), the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) operated by Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley goes into effect. Vessels moving on the stretch of river between Twelve Mile Island (mile 592) and McAlpine Locks (mile 607) should be in radio contact with the vessel traffic operator ("Louisville Traffic"), who maintains a safe distance between them and also ensures that downbound tows don't proceed through the Louisville bridges unless the L&I Bridge lift span is raised and there is room in the Portland Canal.
When the upper gauge reaches 32 feet, McAlpine Lock is closed. I believe this last occurred in March 1997:
Looking W from McAlpine Locks observation deck (later closed to public):
Flood waters flow through 1200-foot lock, covering tops of lock walls. Turbulence is caused by water flowing over top of upper miter gates. River is cresting today.
Upper gauge is 39 feet, lower gauge is 71 feet.
07-Mar-97
In comparison, here is what the lock looked like at normal pool. The two small locks which are being replaced by a new 1200-foot lock can be seen at upper left:
Looking W from McAlpine Locks observation deck:
"Robert Shelton" about to lock down.
Upper gauge is 12 feet, lower gauge is 14 feet.
16-Aug-93The top 5 historical crests on the upper gauge:
(1) 52.15 ft on 01/27/1937
(2) 42.10 ft on 03/08/1945
(3) 41.70 ft on 02/16/1884
(4) 41.20 ft on 03/12/1964
(5) 39.50 ft on 02/16/1883
The floodwall in Louisville is 3 feet higher than the level of the 1937 flood.
- Looking SW from Indiana bank just above K&I Bridge, New Albany:
Crew from River Salvage Co. working to remove asphalt from sunken Magnolia Marine Transport barge "MM 53", which broke from tow of "Kelly Lee", crashed into swing span of K&I Bridge and sank on its port side.
"Max K" and derrick barge at right.
Lower gauge is 15 feet.
02-Mar-06On the afternoon of Jan. 26, 2006, three asphalt barges broke loose from the tow of the Magnolia Marine Transport towboat "Kelly Lee" while downbound approaching the Portland Canal. (The tow may have struck the vane dike near the head of the canal; see a 2000 chart of the Ohio River at Louisville.) Two were recovered but a 297-foot barge ("MM 53") containing about 19,500 barrels (819,000 gallons) of asphalt drifted down the chute between Shippingport Island and McAlpine Dam until coming to rest near the LG&E hydroelectric plant. Apparently it stayed there for a while (perhaps several hours) but could not be secured. It then was carried by the current through one of the dam gates and drifted downriver until it hit two piers of the K&I Bridge broadside, turned onto its port side and sank against the bridge. The River Salvage Co. is reheating the asphalt (apparently using heaters on the asphalt barge "MM 54B", which is positioned downriver from the sunken barge) before removing it. When the asphalt has been emptied, the barge itself can be removed.
"The Kentucky and Indiana Terminal Railroad placed its new bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville, Ky., in service on Sunday, December 8 [1912], the formal opening being held November 27. This bridge is used by the Southern Railway; the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern; the Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville and an electric line connecting Louisville and New Albany, Ind. The old bridge was a single track structure built in 1886 and much too light for present day loading, handling from 175 to 180 movements a day over the gauntleted single track. The new bridge has been built at a cost of approximately $2,000,000, the work covering a period of over two years.The K&I Bridge is now owned by the Norfolk Southern Railroad. There are 10-foot wide "highway" lanes cantilevered out on each side of the bridge. These lanes served as a toll bridge for cars and trucks up until the early 1970's, when they were closed to traffic. Pedestrians then used these lanes for a time, but that is no longer tolerated by the railroad." ... The superstructure of the bridge consists of five through trusses and a swing span carrying two steam and two electric tracks, gauntleted. The two long spans over the main channels are 620 feet center to center of piers and the trusses used on these spans are the heaviest simple trusses ever built, the weight of each being 4,400 tons. A truss 373 feet long spans a small island [Sand Island] between the two main channels and an approach truss 275 feet long is used at each end. The swing span is 400 feet long, providing two clear channels each 172 feet wide. The south approach consistes of a steel viaduct 1,281 feet long and the north approach consists of a fill 500 feet long, a deck girder span over the tracks of the St. Louis division of the Southern and a 150 foot deck truss. The trusses are 32 feet center to center, and the maximum vertical distance between center of chords is 110 feet."
From "Erection of Kentucky & Indiana Bridge," Railway Age Gazette 54:57-61 (Jan. 10, 1913),
on microfilm at Louisville Free Public Library. See a diagram of the K&I Bridge from the article.As can be seen in this 1934 Corps of Engineers sketch of the K&I Bridge, the swing span has only 172 feet of clearance on either side of the center pier. This would be risky to navigate during high water, so boats bypassing the locks and travelling through the Falls would take the middle channel span, providing 570 feet of horizontal clearance. I recall reading somewhere that the swing span has not been opened since 1920. To envision the passage through the Falls via the navigable pass, see the 1934 chart of Locks and Dam No. 41. (The dike shown near Sand Island is low enough to be well-submerged during high water.)
- Looking SW from Indiana bank above K&I Bridge, New Albany:
Crew from River Salvage Co. working to remove asphalt from sunken barge "MM 53".
Trees with partly-exposed roots. Surface of soil is sandy here; shale beds are exposed near water's edge.
Lower gauge is 15 feet.
02-Mar-06- Looking SW from Indiana bank above K&I Bridge, New Albany:
Crew from River Salvage Co. working to remove asphalt from sunken barge "MM 53".
Maple tree with partly-exposed roots at right.
Norfolk Southern train crossing bridge.
Lower gauge is 15 feet.
02-Mar-06- Looking WSW from Indiana bank above K&I Bridge, New Albany:
Crew from River Salvage Co. working to remove asphalt from sunken barge "MM 53".
Shale beds along riverbank. Sherman Minton Bridge in distance.
Lower gauge is 15 feet.
02-Mar-06
"The New Albany Shale is the uppermost formation of Devonian age in the Louisville area. [See a generalized geologic cross section of the vicinity of the Falls of the Ohio.] W.W. Borden [author of an 1874 geologic survey report] named the New Albany Shale for excellent exposures along the north bank of the Ohio River. It is generally a black to gray fissile shale that contains much organic matter ... The New Albany Shale, which includes the youngest rocks of the Devonian system, was deposited as a rapid accumulation of mud and organic matter. The rapid burial of the organic matter prevented decay or oxidation of the plant material and thus caused the black color of some of the shale. Most of the organic material apparently floated into the sea, particularly the large logs of Callixylon newberryi, and was buried quickly. The presence of some marine fossils suggests a shallow sea environment at certain stages during the deposition of the New Albany."
Text and diagram from Geology of the Falls of the Ohio River by Richard L. Powell (Indiana Geological Survey, Circular 10, Bloomington, Indiana: 1970.This pamphlet appears to be out of print, but the Indiana Geological Survey sells Geology of the Devonian Strata of the Falls of the Ohio Area, Kentucky-Indiana and Fossil Beds of the Falls of the Ohio at its online bookstore.
- Looking N from River Road between 3rd and 4th Sts.:
Temporary scaffolding used to cross high water to "Belle of Louisville" (left) and wharf boat "Mayor Andrew Broaddus" (recently renovated).
At right is one of the supporting piers for Interstate 64.
Upper gauge is 26 feet.
15-Jan-05- Looking SSW from Clark Bridge:
"Delta Queen" upbound before docking at wharf above bridge.
At right are "Spirit of Jefferson", "Belle of Louisville" and wharf boat "Mayor Andrew Broaddus".
23-Jul-05- Looking SW from Clark Bridge:
Tow of "Bruce Darst" upbound. Cargo appears to include iron pellets.
Excursion boat "Spirit of Jefferson", wharf boat "Mayor Andrew Broaddus" and excursion steamer "Belle of Louisville" docked at wharf.
16-Nov-05- Looking NE from between 33rd and 34th Sts.:
"McKenna Marie" downbound at K&I Bridge.
Fishing boat.
28-Apr-05- Looking N from near foot of 24th St.:
"Miss Ida" with fuel flat "James W. Bennett" approaching Kentucky bank. Corps of Engineers repair station with "David C. Russelburg", "J.C. Thomas", crane "Henry M. Shreve" and spare lock gates. LG&E hydro-electric plant in distance, beyond "Miss Ida".
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